How to write a professional CV?

Landing the job you want isn’t easy. Many sectors of the economy are still recovering from the lasting impact of COVID-19, and there is a lot of competition for good positions. However, the best way to get a job has not changed. Write a professional CV Promoting your relevant skills, experience and accomplishments is key to attracting employers' attention and landing an interview.

But writing a professional resume is easier said than done, especially if you lack formal work experience. To help you succeed in your job search, we explain exactly how to write a good resume in 10 steps.

1. Choose the most suitable format for Professional CV

Before you start writing anything, the first step is to choose the right format for your resume. There are three basic resume formats used by job seekers today: reverse chronological, functional, and combination. Each format has advantages and disadvantages depending on how the resume sections are organized:

A chronological resume is the most popular format and is suitable for almost all job seekers. It lists your employment history in the order you held each position, with your most recent job listed near the top of the page. A functional resume focuses on your skills rather than your chronological work history, and is primarily used by people who are changing careers or trying to close a gap in their employment.

The main characteristic of a functional resume is that it groups your experience into skill categories rather than job titles.

✔️ Combined Resume Format

A combination resume mixes elements of a functional and chronological resume. Combination resumes are typically used by experienced candidates with broad and specialized skills. This resume format includes a chronological work history section as well as a very detailed skills section.

However, just because the chronological format is the most common doesn’t mean it’s ideal for everyone. If you’re changing careers, are a highly skilled specialist in your field, or are trying to minimize an employment gap, you may be better off using the less traditional functional or combination resume formats.

2. Organize your contact details

Now that you know the format you're going to use, it's time to start your resume. First, employers need to know who you are and how to contact you. Include the following contact information in the header of your resume at the top of the page:

• Name (largest font on the page, middle initial is optional)
• Phone number (check that you have an appropriate voicemail message)
• Email address (make sure it is correct, do not use your account [email protected])
• Link to online portfolio (optional, include if relevant)
• LinkedIn profile (make sure your LinkedIn summary is up to date)

Traditionally, you would also include your mailing address on your CV. However, this is no longer mandatory as most applications are sent via email.

3. Write an introduction to your professional CV

Placed at the top of your professional resume, a well-written introduction briefly presents your key qualifications and skills and convinces employers to continue reading your application. There are many types of professional resume layouts used by job seekers today, including:

• CV objective (also called career objective)
• CV summary (also called professional summary)
• Summary of degrees (or summary of degrees)
• Resume profile (sometimes called professional profile)
• Resume personal statement
• Resume “About me” section

However, the two most commonly used introduction styles (and the ones we recommend for most candidates) are the resume objective and the professional resume summary . A resume objective (or career objective) is a 2-3 sentence statement that provides an overview of your skills and experience, and explains why you are interested in the position. This introduction is best if you are an entry-level candidate because it focuses on your career ambitions.

Resume summaries (sometimes called “professional summaries”) consist of four to five sentences (in paragraph or bullet point format) that highlight your past accomplishments and skills. This type of introduction is good for job seekers with some experience and an idea of ​​how to tie numbers to that experience.

4. Highlight your relevant work experience

Your work section is the most essential part of your resume because it is the best representation of your qualifications. To create a logical and informative work experience section, list your relevant experience from most recent (top) to least recent (bottom). For each job, include the following information:

• Your title
• Company Name
• Company Location (City and State)
• Hiring dates (month and year)

If you are still currently employed at a company, you can simply write “[month], [year] – present” for employment dates. A general rule of thumb is that each job title should include about 3-5 bullet points of your main duties and accomplishments in that role.

Case in point 1:

Training of more than 5 cashiers, managing their cash limits and ensuring quality customer service at all times.

Example 2:

Led the development of the company's first all-project media kit fusion, increasing national sales by 8%.

Tailor your experience to the job offer

One strategy to make your experience section even better is to create it with a specific job in mind. Start by going through the ad for the position you want. Look for skill-related keywords and occupation-specific names in the ad, then spread them throughout your Professional CV when possible.

This strategy is a great way to strike a chord with the hiring manager and show them that you are the perfect fit for the job they are advertising. For an aspiring marketer, there are many linguistic cues scattered throughout this ad. It is up to the job seeker to capitalize on them.

3 examples of experience points (based on the job offer)

The example below shows how to strategically incorporate verbs and nouns/skills found in the job posting into your work experience section:

Taylord's Marketing Firm, Reno, NV
July 2017 – August 2018

• Collaborates with the Outreach Department to develop innovative marketing solutions for 6 unique products
• Developed branding materials for a new mobile app, resulting in a 14% increase in sales
• Analyze weekly performance statistics, ensure effectiveness of outbound marketing activities

5. Create a clear education section

Having a clear education section is essential for your professional resume, especially if you are a recent college graduate or have minimal work experience. If you lack professional experience but have a strong academic record (high grades, club involvement, honors, etc.), your education section should be very detailed to highlight all of your education-related accomplishments.

On the other hand, if you have more than a few years of professional experience, it's appropriate to keep your education section short and sweet. The names of your university, community college, or technical school (do not include high school, unless you did not attend college)

• Location of schools (city, state)
• Graduation date (month year)
• Grades or mention (fair, good, very good, etc.)

Additionally, include relevant coursework on your resume if you are a recent graduate and don't have much work experience yet.

✔️ Highlight your relevant professional skills

Recruiters are looking for candidates with skills that are relevant and specific to their position. While listing a bunch of skills on your professional resume doesn't really prove that you're competent, integrating your various skills into different sections will catch the attention of whoever is reviewing your application.

For example, You can showcase your technical and technical skills in your introduction and work experience section. And of course, you should also list your most valuable abilities (especially the software or technical skills you possess) in the skills section of your professional resume.

✔️ Special Skills

Hard skills are quantifiable, job-specific abilities acquired through education, training, or on-the-job experience. For example language skills, computer skills, and the ability to operate heavy machinery all count as types of specialized skills.

✔️Cgeneral skills

The general skills, on the other hand, are character traits that have a positive impact on the way you work and interact with others. These are usually natural abilities that cannot be easily taught in a classroom.

Skills such as teamwork, a drive to succeed, or a good attitude all fall under soft skills.

✔️ Technical skills

Some careers, such as those in computer science or engineering, require specialized technical skills. In the tech industry, the skills you need to succeed differ from company to company. A technical skills section is useful for showcasing your knowledge of certain systems, so employers at a specific company can determine whether or not you're qualified for the job.

To keep this section from taking up too much space, try breaking it into categories and listing your skills in each. For instance :

• Software : proficiency in Microsoft Office, Visio and Oracle
• Programming languages ​​: Excel to HTML, C++ and Python

By now you have already added the basic essentials to your resume. Below are some sections you can add (if possible) to help strengthen it.

✔️ Certifications/licenses

Certifications and licenses are essential to list for some jobs and unimportant for others. For example, Nursing has strict licensing requirements, unlike customer service. Just make sure you know what licenses and certifications to include on your professional resume before you send it out (if any), as leaving them out could ruin your application by making you appear unqualified.

✔️ Publications

Adding a publications section is important for graduate students (if published), academics, and authors because it allows them to highlight major examples of their work. If you are a published academic, list your articles in reverse chronological order by publication date. And be sure to choose the referencing style that is appropriate for your discipline.

It is also acceptable to add works that have not yet been published. You can label them as " Work in progress " or " Submitted for publication ».

✔️ Awards/Honours/Activities

If you have received any awards or accolades, either through work or education, your professional resume is a great place to showcase them. Adding relevant awards and achievements to your resume helps you stand out from your competitors by showing that you are a reliable and dedicated job seeker.

Here are some awards you should consider including on your resume:

• Grants
• Academic honors
• Scholarships
• Volunteer positions
• Professional Affiliations

If you have extra space on your resume, consider adding a dedicated section to highlight your awards.

8. Choose the perfect resume layout

The hardest part is over. You’ve written your resume and you’re feeling confident about landing that interview. Now it’s time to take a moment and think about the design of your resume. Depending on the industry you work in or the job you want, you may need to adjust the layout of your resume to meet the hiring manager’s expectations.

When it comes to professional resumes, newer isn’t always better. If you work in a very formal field like law, finance, accounting, or politics, your resume should stick to a traditional, no-nonsense design. Using classic serif fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia, simple lines, and dark, printable colors like navy blue are great ways to make your resume layout look polished and professional.

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If you work in a field like graphic design, photography, or social media management, it's important that your resume communicates some of your creative talents. That's where a resume comes in. creative resume page. Adding pops of color, backgrounds, skill bars, or icons are all great ways to make your resume more creative and better catch the attention of employers.

However, do not add not too many style elements. Your resume should always be primarily text-based and highlight all of your qualifications in a clear, easy-to-read manner.

9. Write a matching cover letter

Now that you know how to write your dream resume, you may be wondering: is a cover letter necessary? The answer is yes, always include a cover letter if you have the opportunity. Knowing how to write a good cover letter helps you complete each application you send and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Cover letters are a valuable tool in your job search arsenal because they give you the opportunity to provide context to your resume, showcase your personality, and express your enthusiasm for the position you're applying for.

To stand out and give more impact to your cover letter, nDon't hesitate to add personal touches. This will help make it unique and create a connection with the recruiter. For example, you can mention that you are a parent and that the family values ​​displayed by the company are important to you.

Or that you’ve traveled to the country where the company is headquartered and enjoy the culture. If you share a passion with the manager, such as sports or photography, don’t hesitate to mention it. These small personal details can really make a difference by making your application more memorable and creating a connection with the recruiter. They also reveal your deep motivations for joining the company.

10. Reread your professional CV

Once you’ve written your resume and cover letter, you’re in pretty good shape to send off that first application. However, you’re not quite done yet. The most important step before sending out a resume is to proofread it and make sure there are no issues (like spelling or formatting mistakes) that could cause your application to be rejected.

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